A SPECIFIC pen of Limousin/Angus weaners attracted the eye of buyer Robert Gilll, “Alexander Downs”, Merriwa, to the Lismore breeder sale last Saturday.
Organised by George and Furhmann, Casino, with Ian Weir and Son, Lismore, for the Hannigan family of Numulgi, the sale attracted keen interest from buyers who appeared determined to avoid disappointment.
A total of 425 head went under the hammer.
“They weren’t cheap, but they were of the quality that we are after,” said Mr Gill, referring to the pen of 108 weaners which averaged $800 and topped $880.
“We are particular on our quality and these were nice soft cattle with plenty of shape.”
“Alexander Downs” has a on a vertical integration business model in which cattle feed on pasture for a time before heading into the operation’s own feedlot.
Cattle are processed at Frederickton or Kurri Kurri and sold direct to the Hunter Valley, Sydney and the Central Coast as a branded product under the Alexander Downs name.
Later this year the company will open a shop at Muswellbrook.
Mr Gill said they admired Limousin genetics from Manali stud at Scone, and the fact that the Hannigan family bought their Limousin bulls from that outfit helped to drive interest from “Alexander Downs”.
The remaining cattle were sold locally, with 111 Brahman/Murray Grey cows with calves averaging $1943 and topping $2320.
Some 174 pregnancy-tested heifers and young cows in calf averaged $1576, with a pen of pregnancy-tested Brangus topping at $1940.